Queen's Brian May dazzled students with an impromptu guitar solo during a visit to John Moores University in Liverpool.

The celebrated axeman and holder of a doctorate in Astronomy, recently installed as the fourth chancellor of the university, was on hand to open a new media centre at the Byrom Street campus.

May cut the ribbon and toured the facilities, after which he signed a BM Red Special guitar and a Vox amplifier, both of which will be on display at the centre.

He did rock them But May gave the students a little something extra: an off-the-cuff demonstration of his guitar skills. Check out the YouTube video.

After visiting the School of Engineering's media suites and recording studios, May took part in a Q&A session from students from the BA Media, Cultural Studies and Pop Music Degree.

When asked how he came to create his signature style as a guitarist, May said, "Everyone needs to find their own style and where they're heading. As an artist, nobody can create a vacuum and try and figure out what you can do.

It's not about practicing, it's about passion "My aim is to play what I feel and connect with my emotions and passion" Brian May to students at John Moores University"I'm not a person for practicing for hours a day to improve my technique," said May. "Although many guitarists are, I've never been able to do that. My aim is to play what I feel and connect with my emotions and passion."

Expanding on his thoughts, May said, "I don't really know where it comes from, but music is about how you feel. Music is a language. It's not about practicing in a locked room, if you don't communicate, you can't create music."